Non-Profit Pandemic Relief Program

The Charleston County Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Non-Profit Pandemic Relief Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which includes help for community-based non-profit organizations affected by the COVID pandemic. This is a one-time relief grant intended to reimburse non-profit organizations for funds already spent in order to provide pandemic relief to Charleston County Residents. The goal of this pandemic relief program is to support these community-based non-profit organizations by providing capital to reimburse for pandemic related services provided to Charleston County residents. Approved applicants will receive a one-time relief grant in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per eligible non-profit.

Eligible Applicants Include:

• Organizations that are recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
• Organizations with a primary physical location within Charleston County.
• Organizations which provide direct assistance to Charleston County's individuals and families experiencing hardships due to the pandemic.

Additional Requirements:

The organization must not currently be bankrupt or filed for bankruptcy in the past 12 months or have been involved in financial mismanagement in the past 3 years as determined by a review of the organization's audited financial statements. The organization must not be in a state of default or noncompliance with any grant or program administered by Charleston County or have any conflict of interest with Charleston County.

Once organizations have applied and are determined to have met eligibility criteria, the final recommendation will be presented to County Council for approval before contract and award.

Use of Grant Funds:

The organization MUST be able to provide documentation that since March 15, 2020, they have provided assistance to the general public in excess of the amount for which they are applying minus any other pandemic-related assistance they have received. (Services provided or reimbursed by Federal grants may not be counted.) Only expenses associated with pandemic relief will be accepted (categories are outlined below). Overhead costs including staffing will not be eligible for reimbursement.

List of Expenditure Documentation Accepted:

• Receipts
• Bank account statements
• Credit Card Statements
• Internal Financial Statements (Budget to Actual, Statement of Activities or Profit & Loss statements) will only be accepted if accompanied by a letter from a CPA confirming the expenditures on those documents.

Ineligible Applicants Include:

• Fiscally sponsored organizations (FSOs) that do not have their own 501(c)(3) status and are not covered by group exemption.
• Governmental entities or organizations.
• Hospitals and health care organizations. (Charitable arms or foundations associated with healthcare organizations are eligible.)
• Schools, academic institutions, or universities. (Philanthropic arms of educational organizations are eligible.)
• Organizations that have any restrictions, preferences, or priorities for the provision of services based on membership, affiliation, or association with any group, religion, denomination, or organization.
• Religious institutions that are automatically considered tax-exempt under group exemption. (Charitable arms or foundations associated with churches and religious institutions are eligible.)
• Home-based organizations.
• Organizations that advocate, support, or practice discrimination or preferences based on age, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Application Scoring:

In the event that qualified applications exceed available funds, Charleston County may provide partial funding based on a scoring system to be approved by County Council.

For more information about the assistance completing the application process, please check back on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization website at a later date.

• Tammy M. Carter
• Project Specialist
• Office: (843) 202-6994

Apply for Non-Profit Pandemic Relief